One Piece: Heaven-Defying Talent

Chiba was pleased with the results of his research, but he felt there was still untapped potential in Seka's abilities. Determined to push his findings further, he spent the next three days conducting deeper experiments.

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[System Notification]

You have conducted an in-depth study of Seka's body, combining your prior knowledge and creative techniques. You have created the Earthly Treasure Physique.

[Earthly Treasure Physique]: Upon activation, this ability allows the user to absorb the energy of the earth to enhance their physical strength and fortify their body. Initially, it enables absorption from a radius of 100 meters, but as mastery grows, this range expands to millions of meters.

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While powerful, Chiba noted a critical limitation—this was the pirate world, where oceans dominated and expansive lands were rare. On small islands, the Earthly Treasure Physique might never reach its full potential. Still, Chiba decided to test its effectiveness.

However, he wasn't particularly interested in cultivating the ability himself. His focus remained on research and development, especially the creation of Devil Fruits to exchange with Kaido. His time was too valuable to dedicate to such training.

To maximize the ability's usefulness, Chiba gathered Seka, Cyrus, and Gaia. He explained the Earthly Treasure Physique and then asked, "Who among you wants to cultivate this ability?"

"I'll do it! I'm willing!" Seka shouted, his face lit with excitement.

Seka silently thanked Bista in his heart. If Bista hadn't led him to Chiba, he would never have been chosen for such experiments or been granted the chance to train in the Earthly Treasure Physique. This ability, designed to draw power directly from the earth, felt like it had been tailor-made for him.

Chiba nodded and placed his fingers on Seka's forehead. A stream of knowledge poured into Seka's mind as he absorbed the details of the Earthly Treasure Physique.

"Good. You two, return to your posts," Chiba said to Gaia and Cyrus, who exchanged wry smiles. Moments earlier, they'd debated whether this ability was worth pursuing, only to lose the opportunity as Seka eagerly volunteered. They vowed silently to seize any future opportunities without hesitation.

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Artificial Devil Fruit: Stone Man Form

In the following days, Chiba extracted Seka's Bloodline Factor and began crafting a new artificial Devil Fruit. Although the process temporarily weakened Seka, his strength gradually recovered as he cultivated the Earthly Treasure Physique.

Three days later, Chiba unveiled his creation: the Stone Fruit: Stone Man Form, capable of turning its user into a formidable stone giant. Word of the new fruit spread quickly, igniting a fierce competition among Chiba's crew.

"That Devil Fruit is mine!" Bellumebo exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "With the Stone Man Form, I can combine its power with my Lava-Lava Fruit to create magma giants! It'll be like unlocking an awakened state for my Devil Fruit. The possibilities are endless!"

Cavendish scoffed. "You already have a Devil Fruit, Bellumebo. Why are you competing for this one? I need that fruit more than you do. I'll take it, no matter what."

Cavendish had witnessed Seka's extraordinary defense firsthand. While he excelled in offense, his defense was lacking. With the Stone Fruit, he could summon stone giants and finally stand against Bartolomeo's seemingly impenetrable barrier.

Bartolomeo grinned smugly. "Stone Man Form? Count me in!"

Cavendish whirled around, glaring at him. "Why would you need it, rooster-head? You've already got the Barrier-Barrier Fruit. Isn't another defensive power redundant?"

Bartolomeo casually picked his ear. "I've already thought this through. My goal is absolute defense. I don't care about attack—I just want to make sure no one, not even you, can break through my defenses. With the Stone Fruit, I'll summon stone giants to hammer you into the ground!"

"You idiot!" Cavendish snarled. "You'll never get it!"

Bartolomeo laughed. "You say that, but my points are higher than yours."

Ace, watching from the sidelines, finally intervened. "Enough, both of you. Neither of you has enough points to claim this artificial Devil Fruit."

Bartolomeo crossed his arms. "Maybe not, but I have money! I'll add a billion berries to my bid for the Stone Man Form."

Ace frowned. "Bartolomeo, your Barrier-Barrier Fruit already provides sufficient defense. I don't recommend this Devil Fruit for you. Save your points for an offensive Devil Fruit that better complements your abilities. This fruit is more suitable for someone like Cavendish, who specializes in attack."

Bartolomeo sighed dramatically, glancing at Cavendish with despair. "If that jerk gets the Stone Man Form, I'm doomed."

Ace smirked. "Then maybe you should avoid provoking Cavendish while he's bidding for this fruit. Once he gets it, he'll have no problem pounding you into the dirt."

Cavendish laughed triumphantly. "I'll use all my points and add 800 million berries for this Stone Fruit: Stone Man Form. Captain Ace, will that do?"

Ace shook his head. "That won't be enough. This Devil Fruit will need to be auctioned off among the crew."

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.